December 02, 2007	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 21, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: Some 43 development schemes envisaged in the budget 2007-08, amounting to over Rs1.3 billion, were approved in a meeting of the Islamabad Development Working Party (IDWP) here on Saturday.

The schemes related to the construction of roads in the rural areas of the capital, repairing and upgrading of existing roads, street pavements and water supply.

Sources in the local administration said it would be quite difficult for the authorities to complete all the schemes in a period of about six months left in the financial year. They feared that if the funds were not utilised within the period, they would lapse after June 30, 2008.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Commissioner Islamabad Hamid Ali Khan.

The development schemes would be launched under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and the Islamabad Development Package for the uplift of the rural areas. The estimated cost of the schemes to be launched under the Islamabad package amounted to Rs638.392 million and those to be executed under the PSDP Rs679.615 million.

The chief commissioner directed the officials concerned to speed up work on the projects and complete them within the stipulated time.

The meeting approved six new ongoing schemes revised under PSDP, which include rehabilitation/upgradation of over 10km roads in Bhara Kahu, Phulgran, Shah Allah Dita, street pavement in the villages of Koral, Nilore, Tarlai, Tumair, Jandala and Sihala. The meeting approved construction of a basic health unit and staff accommodation at Golra Sharif.

Three ongoing revised schemes under the Islamabad package were also approved which include street pavement in six villages of Chirah, eight villages of UC Kurri and seven villages of Kirpa with an estimated cost of Rs118.226 million.

The meeting was informed that construction of a basic health unit (BHU) with staff accommodation at Tarnol was expected to be completed in December.

The health department was directed to purchase additional four kanals for expansion of the BHU in view of all future requirements of the population and giving it the status of tehsil headquarters hospital. The project will cost Rs38.015 million.

The meeting also approved construction of a horse stable and barracks for its staff in H-11 at an estimated cost of Rs30.991 million.